Prostatitis is a specific disease, typical mainly for men of reproductive age.It is characterized by acute or chronic inflammation of the prostate, the second "heart" of a man.
Signs of prostatitis in men are not always easy to recognize, especially if the pathology has a chronic course, without a previous acute phase.If the process is acute, in this case the symptoms of prostatitis in men will be quite typical and pronounced.
If a man has the first signs of prostatitis, he should immediately consult a doctor.Even a small discomfort, which indicates the development of diseases of the genitourinary system, can have serious complications.
The ability to recognize the first symptoms of the inflammatory process allows you to timely diagnose the pathology and start its treatment.Therefore, every man should familiarize himself with them in order to avoid serious problems caused by prostatitis.
Prostate and its role in a man's life
Although the prostate is small, if its function is disturbed, a man can have numerous problems.The prostate is a walnut-sized organ located between the penis and the bladder.The prostate produces a secretion that mixes with the sperm to form the complete seminal fluid.
Unlike other prostate pathologies, such as prostate hypertrophy or cancer, which often affect older men, prostatitis can develop at any age, but the peak incidence is between 30 and 50 years.
Types of prostatitis
Based on the severity of the symptoms, the time of their onset and the duration of the disease, two variants of the pathology are distinguished:
- Chronic prostatitis.Symptoms can be subtle and come and go over several months.This is the most common type of prostatitis;the causes of inflammation in it are usually not infectious.
- Acute prostatitis.In this form, the symptoms of prostatitis in men are pronounced and develop suddenly.This variant of the disease is most often caused by a microbial infection;the condition can be serious and require immediate treatment, including hospitalization.
Problems of chronic prostatitis
The causes of prostatitis have been studied for a long time, but the understanding of the essence of the process has been significantly revised in recent years.Chronic prostatitis, which is sometimes called by its alternative name, chronic pelvic pain syndrome, is characterized by a group of symptoms that can cause a significant deterioration in the quality of men's daily life.It is not always possible for a doctor to immediately recognize chronic prostatitis, and subsequent treatment is no less difficult, as it depends on various causative factors and existing symptoms of prostatitis in men.
Unlike the approaches used in the past, the diagnosis and subsequent treatment are based on the separation of chronic bacterial prostatitis from other forms of the disease, which are considered a multifactorial disease.According to data published in Research and Reports in Urology in 2019, autoimmunity and systemic inflammation, nervous system dysfunction, and psychological causes play a role in the development of chronic inflammation.
Chronic pelvic pain syndrome is characterized by various symptoms related to the urinary organs, genitals, rectum, and perineum, and often men may undergo long-term treatment for other pathologies until the problem eventually turns out to be prostatitis.
Signs of prostatitis in men
If acute inflammation of the prostate occurs, it is relatively easy to recognize;manifestations are quite bright and pronounced.The first signs of prostatitis in men include:
- severe pain that spreads around the penis, testicles, anus, lower abdomen or lower back.Emptying the bladder can be painful;
- problems with urination, pain when filling the bladder, need to urinate frequently (especially at night), intermittent urination, urgent need to urinate, and sometimes blood in the urine;
- against the background of severe swelling of the prostate and severe pain, acute urinary retention is possible;
- malaise, fever, nausea;
- light, thick, odorless discharge from the urethra.
If these or other signs of prostatitis in men are detected, immediately consult a doctor or urologist.
Chronic inflammation: symptoms of prostatitis in men
We can talk about a chronic process if the following symptoms of prostatitis in men have been detected in at least the last three months:
- pain around the penis, testicles, anus, lower abdomen or lower back that pulls, presses or aches.
- pain when urinating, frequent or urgent need to urinate, especially at night, or occasional urination.
- an enlarged or tender prostate on rectal examination, although in some cases it may be normal.
- intimate problems such as erectile dysfunction, pain during ejaculation or pelvic pain after intercourse.
These symptoms can significantly affect a man's quality of life.Without treatment, the condition can gradually worsen, and the symptoms of prostatitis appear more and more often.
How is the review performed?
At the first signs of prostatitis in men, it is necessary to contact a urologist who will conduct a comprehensive diagnosis.The doctor will ask in detail about all symptoms and events, health problems that preceded their appearance.Then an examination of the genitals, abdomen and rectum will be performed.The doctor inserts a gloved finger into the rectum to feel the prostate.During the examination, discomfort is possible if the prostate is enlarged or inflamed.Blood and urine tests are also ordered to look for signs of infection.
How is prostatitis treated?
Prostatitis treatment tactics will depend on the form of the disease - acute or chronic prostatitis.
For acute inflammation, when symptoms are sudden and severe, pain relievers and 2-4 weeks of antibiotics are usually prescribed.If acute urinary retention occurs, hospitalization and emergency measures are required - bladder catheterization with urine diversion with intensive treatment.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis, when symptoms appear and disappear over several months, is usually aimed at eliminating all complaints.Your doctor may suggest the following procedures:
- pain relievers and anti-inflammatories that relieve pelvic pain and discomfort.
- alpha-blockers that eliminate problems with urination.They help to relax the muscles of the prostate and the base of the bladder.
- Sometimes antibiotics can be prescribed if the microbial nature of the infection is confirmed or there are indications that there was an acute process previously that was not treated.
The goal of chronic prostatitis treatment is to reduce symptoms to the extent that they do not interfere with daily activities.